Your body’s job in pregnancy is to grow a baby on the resources you have already given it. The first few weeks of pregnancy are the most important for your baby’s brain and spinal cord, and they often happen before you know you are pregnant. The aim of pre-conception care is to make sure those weeks happen in a body that is well-prepared.

A few simple changes, started early, give you the best foundation:

• Take a daily folic acid supplement, ideally from at least 3 months before trying.
• Eat well, with plenty of fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, and good protein sources.
• Aim for a healthy weight for your height.
• Stop smoking, and limit or avoid alcohol.
• See your GP about any long-term conditions (such as diabetes) and any medications you take.

The detailed pages below take you through each of these in turn.